Emmitt Smith highlights I-Bowl luncheon in Shreveport

SHREVEPORT, LA (KSLA) -
The Independence Bowl has been given new life since Duck Commander became its title sponsor earlier this year.

And, if Wednesday was a sign of things to come, the Bowl seems to be in very good hands.

NFL Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith was the special guest at the 5th annual I-Bowl luncheon. The NFL's all-time leading rusher sat with Shreveport native Tim Brando for around an hour. The two spoke about everything from old locker room stories to Smith's interaction with the late Walter Payton.

The fans in the sold-out room at the Shreveport Convention Center were on the edges of there seats. The Robertson family was front and center. Willie Robertson stopped to take pictures with fans as well.

With Duck Commander as the title sponsor, there have been talks of a new scoreboard, a makeover for Independence Stadium to make it all about Duck Commander.

Alan Robertson, the "beardless brother" of the Robertson family said Smith was an easy choice to be the speaker.

"I think he characterizes a lot of what we characterize," Alan Robertson said. "He's a family man, he has good values, he obviously is good with folks and he's always been that way.

"People love him not just for his football ability but for the man he is. I just think that's the perfect combination for the Robertsons for Emmit Smith and the Indy Bowl."

Smith was equally as excited to be chosen as the speaker.

"I'm proud of the fact that they thought about me and have given me a chance to come over," he said. "Hopefully everybody had a lot of fun listening to everything that Tim Brando and I had to say."

The Duck Commander Independence Bowl is at 3 p.m. December 27 and will be televised on ESPN 2.